CUMBERLAND CITY, Tenn. – Tennessee Valley Authority will close the boat ramp across from the Cumberland Fossil Plant at 815 Cumberland City Road between April 15, 2024, and October 15, 2025, to accommodate delivery of new combustion and steam turbines later this year.  As an alternative, boaters can use the Guices Creek Boat Ramp located approximately three miles east at 376 TN-149 in Cumberland City.

“The people in our region have counted on Cumberland to keep their electricity flowing for more than 50 years, and the temporary closing of the boat ramp will make way for new units to ensure we deliver cleaner, reliable, resilient power for decades in the future,” said Sam Vinson, General Manager, Major Projects.

During the coming weeks, turbines, generators, steam generators, and other large equipment will be delivered by barge and truck to the new combined cycle plant in order to maintain uninterrupted power to customers as TVA reduces its reliance on coal and lowers its carbon footprint. The new natural gas units will add approximately 1,450 megawatts to the grid, replacing one of the two coal units on site that is scheduled for retirement at the end of 2026.

TVA is investing $2.1 billion in the project, including the construction of a new 500 kV switchyard at the Cumberland site. Up to 1,000 people will be working on the project in the next two years.

“This project will boost the local economy while underway, and provide lasting benefits for our region with cleaner, uninterrupted power as more and more people move here,” noted Vinson. “We appreciate the patience and cooperation of the local fisherman who use the boat ramp area, as we prepare for the offloading of plant equipment that will be brought by barge beginning this summer.  The largest pieces of equipment will be 1.2-million-pound generators.”